I second that. I always carry my Petzl Tikka XP in an Aloksak along with spare batteries. I got caught ONCE at night while hiking... not fun. In the winter, it's safer because of the white bed of snow, easy to find your way... But in the summer, you can easily trip over rocks and other hazards; a headlamp is not powerful enough for safe night hiking, but it can help if you're careful.

Bee,

Here in Phoenix the park system has full moon night hikes. It is so bright that no light is needed. If fact when someone turns on a light it is very annoying and the hikers (me) start grumbling.

I have hiked at night with my Petzl Tikka XP. It lights up the trail good enough to hike. We have gone out looking for cottontail rabbits. We were not hunting just nature watching for a Boy Scout merit badge. It is fun because the rabbits eyes light up so they are easy to find and they freeze when you shine the light on them. I was out with my wife and 11 year old twins.

I rarely use a flashlight when I'm in the woods. I did use it to scare off a small bob cat the last time I was out. I just turned it on and threw it toward the cat and yelled. He scampered right off and I didn't see him again. If you spend enough time in one area, you get to know it as well as you know your own home.